issue NINE |
the bg issue |
season 2003 week Eight |
Welcome to the long awaited ninth issue of the BGI. Since the last issue I have another new address and also a new job, with the result that the time I used to devote writing things like newsletters now gets spent sitting on various trains, buses and tubes. So apologies to everyone for not getting a newsletter out earlier, but I've been having trouble adjusting from a life of languor to a life of commuting, special apologies to anyone who has written to me in the last few months my correspondence is usually pretty poor, and this has just been exacerbated. Email is better if you can (note the new address), because I can get away with reading that at work :). Anyway, on with the show...
Contacts Section
Name |
Address |
City/County |
Postcode |
|
Robert Crowther |
25 Colman Court, Christchurch Av |
London |
N12 0DT |
|
Peter Swindells |
115 Long Walk, Epsom |
Surrey |
KT18 5TU |
|
Jerry Ward |
50 Desmond Drive, Old Catton |
Norwich |
NR6 7JN |
|
Richard Appleby |
12 Sunningdale Drive, Borough Hill, Daventry |
Northants |
NN11 4NZ |
|
Neil Arthurton |
23 Turnberry Court, Watford |
Hertfordshire |
WD1 6BE |
|
Martyn Williams |
33 Eastern Way, Letchworth, |
Hertfordshire |
SG6 4PE |
|
Kevan Parrott |
11 Hollins Lane, Sheffield |
South Yorks. |
|
[email protected] |
Derek Barton |
75 Alexandra Mews, Tamworth |
Staffordshire |
B79 7HT |
I'm aware that the above info may well be out of date by now, contact me if you have new details or wish to be removed from the list. I'm planning the next issue to coincide with wildcard week. For Gameplan related stuff on the web go to 'www.gameplan-pbm.com'. If you want to chat about Gameplan check out the Gameplan Club on Yahoo! at 'uk.clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/gameplan'. We are planning a pub meet before the Superbowl on Saturday February 2nd, we meet at a pub near Holborn tube station in London (whose name escapes me at the minute), send an email or drop me a line at the above address if you fancy chatting about Gameplan AND getting drunk...
Season So Far
AFC East
A tale of two teams once again, while the Bills and Dolphins have struggled gamely to keep up they are clearly not in the same class as the champion Colts and the Jets. New York gained an advantage over their bitter rivals with their week five victory and have not let up the pressure all season. Indy now look hard pushed to retain their division title, but should end up hosting the wildcard game. Buffalo have improved markedly over last season but look to need more defense before they will be challenging for the playoffs in this division.
AFC Central
Houston have usurped the normal pecking order in the Central and are looking good for a division title. Baltimore won't give up their division crown without a fight, but even if the beat the Oilers in week sixteen they will need to overcome their points difference disadvantage. Pittsburgh and Cincy are just there to make up the numbers.
AFC West
Oakland are the big story in this division, Coach Arthurton has turned the team around and, but for a few heartbreaking last minute losses, could easily have been leading the division. Denver are once again in pole position and looking considerably better than last year, if not back up to championship form just yet. Seattle have dropped off dramatically since last year, perhaps a coaching change is imminent? In KC it's same old, same old.
NFC East
New York are doing it with defense once again, although they're not challenging for homefield advantage they look sure to make the playoffs. Washington are their main rivals this year, a new coach has revitalised the franchise Coach Williams has added some offense to the always strong defense. Philadelphia and Dallas are once again in the also ran category.
NFC Central
Minnesota and Green Bay are once again vying for the division title. The Vikings hold the edge after a solid week five victory but have a considerably tougher run up to the week sixteen rematch, and will be hoping their offense keeps finding ways to put points on the board. The Green Bay defense has been awesome this season and will be chomping at the bit to have another crack at Minnesota. Chicago, last season's surprise package in the playoffs, have fallen apart in the last few weeks. They may still have a surprise in them, but they look a spent force. Detroit bring up the rear once again.
NFC West
Atlanta have been dominant on defense and free scoring on offense, but managed to lose two games that perhaps they should have won. They still have a good chance at homefield advantage, however, and will likely be in a good position to defend their NFC title. San Francisco have emerged as playoff outsiders in recent weeks and could snatch a wildcard if the Redskins falter in the final weeks. Carolina and St Louis are perhaps both a bit better than their record suggests, but no way near good enough to make the playoffs.
League Rankings
These have been prepared by Neil Arthurton (thanks Neil) from a spreadsheet available at www.endzone1.co.uk. The various facets of a teams performance are rated according to a formula, the NFL passer rating is used for the passing, the other s are worked out by similar means. Basically it gives a more accurate picture of efficiency than the yardage totals on the league reports. See the website for more details.
Pos: |
Prev. |
+/- |
|
Tot Pts |
PASS O |
rank |
RUSH O |
rank |
KICK |
rank |
TURN |
rank |
PASS D |
rank |
RUSH D |
rank |
POSS |
rank |
1 |
1 |
0 |
JETS |
28 |
87.42 |
8 |
66.66 |
3 |
100.00 |
1 |
14 |
2 |
70.17 |
9 |
45.82 |
1 |
8.1 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
VIKINGS |
34 |
88.06 |
7 |
66.06 |
5 |
91.17 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
67.38 |
7 |
48.98 |
3 |
5.54 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
-1 |
FALCONS |
40 |
100.56 |
1 |
59.33 |
11 |
78.05 |
5 |
-1 |
13 |
58.39 |
2 |
50.46 |
5 |
14.09 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
COLTS |
41 |
91.82 |
3 |
66.15 |
4 |
81.42 |
4 |
10 |
4 |
74.38 |
12 |
53.56 |
8 |
5.22 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
PACKERS |
47 |
91.65 |
4 |
61.59 |
9 |
87.02 |
3 |
13 |
3 |
57.13 |
1 |
57.29 |
13 |
0.24 |
14 |
6 |
3 |
-3 |
GIANTS |
53 |
80.66 |
10 |
61.38 |
10 |
72.24 |
9 |
4 |
8 |
64.98 |
4 |
50.08 |
4 |
4.07 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
OILERS |
62 |
69.54 |
13 |
70.68 |
1 |
75.75 |
6 |
4 |
8 |
70.82 |
10 |
56.82 |
12 |
1.26 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
-2 |
BILLS |
63 |
90.51 |
5 |
67.22 |
2 |
54.79 |
20 |
3 |
10 |
76.66 |
14 |
55.07 |
11 |
17.07 |
1 |
9 |
10 |
1 |
RAVENS |
67 |
90.03 |
6 |
50.05 |
18 |
71.75 |
10 |
1 |
11 |
62.13 |
3 |
61.68 |
17 |
15.22 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
2 |
RAIDERS |
69 |
83.67 |
9 |
52.79 |
15 |
70.17 |
11 |
0 |
12 |
65.70 |
5 |
53.11 |
7 |
2.95 |
10 |
11 |
9 |
-2 |
REDSKINS |
75 |
69.44 |
14 |
54.42 |
14 |
74.82 |
8 |
-9 |
20 |
66.33 |
6 |
51.97 |
6 |
4.97 |
7 |
12 |
13 |
1 |
49ERS |
81 |
79.19 |
11 |
64.54 |
7 |
75.18 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
87.12 |
21 |
62.61 |
19 |
3.09 |
9 |
13 |
10 |
-3 |
BRONCOS |
82 |
96.32 |
2 |
49.03 |
19 |
64.67 |
13 |
24 |
1 |
78.82 |
16 |
54.95 |
10 |
-11.3 |
21 |
14 |
16 |
2 |
STEELERS |
106 |
62.66 |
18 |
52.11 |
16 |
62.54 |
15 |
-3 |
15 |
78.06 |
15 |
57.89 |
14 |
0.35 |
13 |
15 |
17 |
2 |
DOLPHINS |
112 |
53.74 |
23 |
38.94 |
22 |
61.53 |
16 |
-13 |
21 |
73.86 |
11 |
48.29 |
2 |
-5.04 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
-2 |
SEAHAWKS |
113 |
55.97 |
21 |
61.92 |
8 |
63.93 |
14 |
-3 |
15 |
84.60 |
19 |
60.60 |
16 |
-8.39 |
20 |
17 |
21 |
4 |
BENGALS |
115 |
67.20 |
16 |
65.09 |
6 |
56.68 |
18 |
-13 |
21 |
90.45 |
23 |
62.73 |
20 |
1.28 |
11 |
18 |
19 |
1 |
PANTHERS |
116 |
63.86 |
17 |
55.69 |
13 |
53.84 |
23 |
-2 |
14 |
74.73 |
13 |
61.72 |
18 |
-6.34 |
18 |
19 |
15 |
-4 |
RAMS |
117 |
54.87 |
22 |
58.23 |
12 |
54.25 |
22 |
7 |
6 |
68.97 |
8 |
66.35 |
24 |
-12.44 |
23 |
20 |
20 |
0 |
COWBOYS |
118 |
69.34 |
15 |
43.07 |
21 |
42.05 |
24 |
-5 |
17 |
78.87 |
17 |
53.96 |
9 |
-1.7 |
15 |
21 |
18 |
-3 |
BEARS |
122 |
70.21 |
12 |
44.89 |
20 |
69.56 |
12 |
-6 |
18 |
88.57 |
22 |
64.65 |
22 |
-2.99 |
16 |
22 |
22 |
0 |
LIONS |
134 |
56.83 |
19 |
51.82 |
17 |
54.61 |
21 |
-7 |
19 |
84.30 |
18 |
63.34 |
21 |
-6.8 |
19 |
23 |
24 |
1 |
CHIEFS |
146 |
56.25 |
20 |
31.06 |
24 |
60.35 |
17 |
-20 |
24 |
90.48 |
24 |
59.52 |
15 |
-12.03 |
22 |
24 |
23 |
-1 |
EAGLES |
156 |
48.19 |
24 |
37.30 |
23 |
54.98 |
19 |
-14 |
23 |
85.33 |
20 |
65.48 |
23 |
-15.96 |
24 |
Week Fourteen Preview
Game of the Week - Giants at Redskins
These two teams have been in a dogfight for the NFC East title all year, but victory in this one would all but clinch a second consecutive title for New York. But Washington hold a slight points difference advantage and with both teams facing tough games next week, visits from Atlanta and Minnesota respectively, this game will very likely be decisive. Both teams are built around defense, the Redskins have a more explosive offense but have been less consistent. The Giants tend to be a bit more predictable in approach and I feel this will give Washington the edge, but one turnover in a low scoring game could make all the difference. Redskins by 3
Other games: Colts at Bills Colts by 10; Jets at Dolphins Jets by 14; Ravens at Bengals Ravens by 14; Oilers at Steelers Oilers by 14; Seahawks at Chiefs Seahawks by 3; Broncos at Raiders Raiders by 1; Eagles at Cowboys Eagles by 3; Packers at Lions Packers by 10; Falcons at 49ers Falcons by 10; Rams at Panthers Rams by 3
Week Fifteen Preview
Game of the Week Broncos at Jets
After a tough season last year the Broncos are back to something resembling their championship form and are once again leading their division. New York, however, look to be the class act of the AFC this season and would be shoo in favourites if not for Denver's propensity in recent years for beating teams they shouldn't have gotten close to. The pressure is on both teams, a win for the Jets will make their week sixteen visit to Indianapolis meaningless, while defeat will leave them having to pull out a win in a hostile environment. Denver are locked in a title race with the Raiders, who have an easier run in. New York start as favourites, but the Broncos may surprise. Jets by 7
Other games: Seahawks at Colts Colts by 14; Ravens at Bills Ravens by 3; Oilers at Dolphins Oilers by 7; Chiefs at Bengals Bengals by 3; Raiders at Steelers Raiders by 10; Falcons at Giants Falcons by 7; Rams at Eagles Rams by 3; Packers at Cowboys Packers by 14; 49ers at Bears 49ers by 7; Panthers at Lions Lions by 3
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